Children and their life

One of those days....... The Metre guage Fast Local Electric train waited for signal before entering Egmore. There were only few occupants in the first class compartment. I look around and smiled at the lady in a corner seat. She smiled back. I have seen her always sitting in the same seat when I used to board the train at Perungalathur. The next day when I got inside the compartment I looked towards the same seat and smiled at her. She greeted me back. Within few days the friendship grew.

A lady frustrated with her life and the lone kid born to her, had a troubled husband and failing to receive help and confidence decided to give up her life. She laid the baby next to her in a Railway track, thinking of all her sorrows in life. She did not want the girl baby to suffer in her life too. She could hear the train coming at a far off distance. Her heart was beating very fast and she wanted to have a last glimpse of her young baby. She turned her face towards the baby and the baby smiled at her innocently. Within fraction of seconds, she pulled the baby and jumped out of the track. She looked at her baby again and the baby not knowing anything kept smiling and gigling at her mom. The smile saved both of their life. The lady started feeling very bad about this and was ashamed of her act. She wanted to live for the baby. But did not have any earnings and livelihood was a big question of her. This is real and this happened.


Now you must be wondering about me... talking about a lady in my compartment and another lady trying to give up her life. After few conversations with my train mate, I came to know that she was Mrs.Indira Bhat and working as a bank manager. She modestly told me that she was living at Maraimalai Nagar. One day after getting closer, she told me that her husband is a Doctor and they were running a small house for single parent children. She narrated about the above incident, where the lady who was about to commit suicide, heard about this couple and brought in the kid and left the kid under their care. My interest grew more. After few discussions, I came to know that the Bhats were living in T.Nagar very comfortably. One day Dr.Bhat asked his wife whether she would be interested to join him in starting a house for orphanages and especially single parent children. He gave Mrs.Bhat a week time to decide. But Mrs.Bhat decided within an hour to join him in his venture. Mrs. Bhat was my train mate. We used to discuss about many things in life. The journey between Tambaram and Egmore was so short for our discussions. We never felt bored in discussing interesting things in life. The entire compartment was like a small family and we missed each other during our short holidays. One day I decided to visit their home.

I took my family along with me. I briefed my son who was just 5 years old about the place. We went on a Sunday morning to their home. Their were few dozens of children and all sang songs and recited many tamil rymes and Thirukural. My son was liked by many of those children. He also mingled with them quickly. We took many young children and had them on our lap. Many of them were longing for it. I tell you.......... You should experience it. There were children who lacked real love and affection. It was such a nice day. From then we made it a habbit to see them. Though due to lack of time and other schedules we could not go every week, I made it a point to see them atleast once in few months.

The best part is during my last year's visit I came to know from Mrs.Indira Bhat that she had given voluntary retirement from Bank service, and was dedicating herself fully now at home. Since Dr.Bhat alone could not handle many things, and ageing, she wanted to support her husband. Many unskilled ladies, are taught tailoring and they are even placed in good export companies. Rural women folks, are being given confidence to live and Mrs.Indira Bhat is doing a wonderful job by spending her time usefully. I still remember her saying that Dr.Bhat lost his mother when he was just born. He did not even have a photograph of his mother. He does not even know how his mother looked. He should be in his mid 60's or late 60's. He was associated with lots of gurujis in his younger days. He decided at one point of his life, to dedicate their life for the abondoned children, especially single parent children. Now the couple are proud to say that few of such boys, are in abroad and one is doing well as a Software Engineer in US. Most of the girls are sent to Vivekananda Ashram in Madurai where they are trained as nurses. This couple, are young at heart and doing a yeoman service to those children. If those children were not cared, they would have easily become anti-social elements. Thanks to people like Bhats.

I am proud that I came to know them and could be of some use to them. They do not advertise a lot and just trying to live with their investments.
I just did a Google search and found few interesting news about the Sewing training Centre for Rural Women, and news about Mrs Indira Bhat in Business line
http://www.blonnet.com/canvas/2002/05/25/stories/2002052500170400.htm

If anyone is interested to visit those children and spend a day usefully with people who want love and affection

Sri Jyothi Brahma Mission
NH1, HIG, 41, Vallal Began Street,
Marai Malai Nagar,
Kanchi Dist 603 209

Phone: 04114 52355
04114 52918